Ferdinand: Guardiola alongside ‘groundbreaking’ Ferguson and Wenger as greatest ever

Rio Ferdinand has named Pep Guardiola alongside the “groundbreaking” Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger as one of the Premier League’s greatest managers.

The Manchester City boss guided his team to a 10th straight victory on Saturday as they bid to become the first side in history to win four successive league titles.

Erling Haaland rubber-stamped his return to the side with a brace as City edged out Everton 2-0 at Etihad Stadium to briefly return to the top of the table with a game in hand.

Ferdinand told TNT Sports that Guardiola will be “in the mix” of being the best alongside Ferguson and Wenger when his managerial days come to an end.

“I think whatever happens, he’s up there,” Ferdinand said. “The names that come off the page immediately are Sir Alex Ferguson, he’s the greatest right now, Arsene Wenger. But I’d put Pep right in there amongst them too.

“I think when he’s finished and is retired, I think he will definitely be in that mix of being the best. I think it’s between him and Sir Alex Ferguson.”

Former Manchester United manager Ferguson spent 26 years at the helm and led the club to 13 league titles, two UEFA Champions League trophies, five FA Cup crowns and four League Cups in a dominant period from 1986 to 2013.

As for Wenger, who arrived at Arsenal in 1996 following a surprising move from Japan, he won the league three times and delivered a record seven FA Cups during a 22-year spell in north London.

The Frenchman was also credited with putting a modern touch on the sport which has influenced today’s game, from the introduction of sharp training regimes to strict dieting and nutrition.

In a similar way, Ferdinand – who played under Ferguson for 11 years – believes Guardiola’s style of play has influenced “the whole pyramid of football”.

“I think that Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson were groundbreaking with the things that they did,” Ferdinand explained on TNT Sports.

“Alex Ferguson, three teams that won massive amounts, that are standing the test of time. Arsene Wenger came in and reshaped what nutrition and all the elements outside of football look like, professionalism etc. And won.

“Pep Guardiola’s got the whole pyramid of football playing a brand of football that is just trying to copy him. He’s changed everything in that sense. So he’s unique, but they are all unique and great in their own separate ways.”

Last season, Guardiola guided Man City to their first Champions League title to wrap up a remarkable treble, matching Ferguson’s Man Utd team in 1998/99 as the only other side to accomplish the feat.

Since joining the club in 2016, the former Barcelona midfielder has won five league titles, a Champions League, two FA Cups and four League Cup medals as he threatens to compete with Ferguson’s legacy.

If City were to continue their dominance of the Premier League and defend their FA Cup and European medals, they would become the first side in English football to claim back-to-back trebles.

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